Karma is derived from the Sanskrit word for action.
The Twelve Laws of Karma, also know as
The Karmic Laws, or,
Karma Theory are a set of natural laws governing how actions reflect spiritual action. We have all heard the saying "karma is a bitch", suggesting that we are punished and rewarded according to our actions. The Karmic Law is not about reward and punishment, which is an outside-in approach, but about how a person is responsible for their own life and actions, and, how they treat others. All or parts of these Twelve Laws of Karma manifest in many different ways, including the Wiccan Rule of Three. Because these laws take an inside-out approach, our actions become the currency of our life's outcomes. It is not about what we do but about the intentions behind our actions; the why and how of our actions. Humans have been using the karmic laws since the beginning, if we put our hand in the fire, we don't do it again; if we do something kind for someone we feel uplifted, we do it again. When we break or keeping commitments we've made to ourselves it effects our motivation and self-esteem either way. On the other hand keeping or breaking commitments to others have the added layer or either positively or negatively effecting our external relationships.
1. The Great Law
The first law of karma is the great law. Which states
"as we sow, so shall we reap".
- If we are kind we will receive kindness in return.
- If we are a good friend we will have good friends.
The first law of karma is where most westerners stop; they see this as what goes around comes around. Without a deep understanding of this law a person cannot move forward on the spiritual path.
2. The Law of Creation
The second law of karma states that
life doesn't happen by itself, we have to make it happen. It is also stated as life doesn't happen to us but for us.This one is a bit of a tough pill to swallow, or, for some, is used as a crutch. Imagine if something less than ideal happens because we were paralyzed to act; in this case life is not happening for us but to us. However, when we live life with purpose life always happens for us.We may not have the power to control everything, but we must have the passion to go out and make things happen.
3. The Law of Humility
The third law,
We must accept something before we can change it, is the basis of real change. This karmic law tells us that real change doesn't occur if we are fighting against the source, in this case the source gains power over us. When we accept and embrace the things that don't serve us we have the power to change it.
4. The Law of Growth
The fourth law, states
by changing our lives, we change ourselves. This is an extension of the previous law; the third law focuses on external factors while this one focuses on internal factors. Both laws require us to be open minded and say yes to things even if they frighten us - often times especially when we are afraid; also, reminding us to say no to those things that don't serve us.
5. The Law of Responsibility
The fifth law of karma is also known as the law of mirrors; this law states that
we must take responsibility for what is in our lives - meaning we are not responsible for others actions, behaviors, or, views of us. Essentially this is an extension of the first law reminding us that "so you think, you shall become". We can decide what we think about and how we think about it and are therefore responsible for what happens in our lives. Additionally, this law reminds us that everything that comes to us does so for a reason.
6. The Law of Connection
The sixth law tells us that
the past, the present, and the future are all connected. Each step we take is connected to the next step; each decision we make has an effect on future outcomes. We have a tendency to ask ourselves why something is happening to us. When in fact we should be asking ourselves what choices we made in the past to lead us to this point. When using the fifth law in conjunction with the sixth we can then see clearly how to change the course of our lives if we don't like our direction.
7. The Law of Focus
The seventh law tells us that
we can't think of two things at once. I wrote about this in my post Not Compartmentalizing where I talk about how concentrating on one thing at a time has helped me raise my quality of life. That is not to say that we can't have multiple projects, relationships, etc; but that in a particular moment we should be only giving our attention to one thing or person. In terms of the karmic laws, the seventh law reminds us that if we are concentrating on high vibrational outcomes there is no room for low vibrations and vice versa.
8. The Law of Giving & Hospitality
Our behaviour should match our thoughts and actions. The eight law asks us if we are walking our talk - are we living our life in balance with our beliefs and thoughts. We are reminded that the words we speak work in concert with our thoughts and manifest in our actions.
9. The Law of Here & Now
The ninth law states
we cannot be present if we are looking backward. We often get lost in the past, taking us away from the present. It is good to examine our past, as that is where our lessons come from; however, remaining in the past makes us lost.
10. The Law of Change
The tenth karmic law shows us that
history repeats itself until we learn from it and change our path. I have heard so many people, including myself, cursing the gods because this or that doesn't ever work out for us. Many of us are taught to fight against this law, I was, and I did. When I finally realized that I continued to receive lessons until I understood them, or paid attention, I opened my eyes a little wider and became more aware. I always tell my children that life will give us a nudge, offer a lesson, if we ignore it then the intensity in how the lesson is delivered increases.
11. The Law of Patience & Reward
This law tells us that
the most valuable rewards require patience; there is also another perspective that the most rewarding things in life require greate sacrifices and pain. This can be true, but can also be a crutch. There was a point in our past where I think this law would have been easy for people to grasp, however, in today's social climate it is more difficult - mostly because of the need for instant gratification. When I was a child my father was teaching me how to hunt and trap; it was time for me to learn where our food came from and what was required to make it happen. Over a winter he taught me how to trap rabbit and hunt grouse, then that was my responsibility. The following fall I learned how to hunt deer. The rewards reaped as a result of the patience I learned was monumental.
12. The Law of Significance & Inspiration
The twelfth and final law of karma states
rewards are a result of the effort and energy we put into it. You get back from something whatever you put into it. This has nothing to do with other's efforts or lack there of. This is the essence of the other eleven laws of karma. This is also given to us as "garbage in, garbage out", or, "good in, good out".
The twelve laws of karma are like the foundational building blocks of a structure. If the foundation is not sound, if there is anything missing, the entire structure will collapse. These 12 laws act as our judge and jury for all our actions - the energy derived from our behaviours accumulate consequences as forms of payment for our actions.
| About Jason White |
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| Jason White is a father, a grandfather, knowledge seeker and sharer. Jason is the owner of Growth Positive Consulting where he puts his fundraising and management skills to great use. He is a writer, a woodworker, and a philanthropist. Find him here:facebook: @JasonLWhiteAuthortwitter: @ChiiMakwainstagram: @Chii_Makwa patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JasonLWhite You can also donate to Jason through PayPal at paypal.me/jasonlwhiteauthor |
